Writing to God: Kids' Edition [Paperback]

Rachel G. Hackenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2012 | Age Range: 5 - 11 years

Writing to God – Kid’s’ Edition offers guidance to kids that parents can also appreciate: It invites them to speak to God creatively through their pens (or pencils, or crayons).

In 35 days, kids are invited to pray to God using their senses, reflecting on their feelings, in light of Bible verses, looking at nature, to understand the ordinary events of life, to use new words and pictures for God, and as a way to say “thank you.”

“Hackenberg’s book gives children permission to experience prayer as daily conversation with God. The freshness and honesty of her own prayers and her helpful prompts invite them to find and value their own words as offerings to a God who wants to be in relationship with them.”
-Anabel Proffitt, Associate Professor of Educational Ministries, Lancaster Theological Seminary

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Try talking to God with a pencil, pen, marker, or box of crayons!
Writing to God: Kids' Edition shows kids how their prayers:
- Don't have to be perfect to reach God.
- Don't have to use big or fancy words.
- May tell a story using words or pictures.
- Can be happy or sad.
- May have misspelled and crossed-out words. (God understands when we make mistakes.)

"Rachel Hackenberg has an amazing ability to transform the most ordinary elements in a child's life. She invites kids to be themselves but also to see their world through God's eyes." --Trish Heidebrecht, Christian Educator, Chippawa Presbyterian Church

"Rachel Hackenberg's book introduces us to a practical method that should work for just about everyone. All that is needed is a simple writing tool, some paper, and the imagination that often comes from being a kid." -- Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP, is a liturgical composer, author, and member of the Paulist Fathers Community.

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 11 years
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612611079
• ISBN-13: 978-1612611075
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Inspirational

More About the Author

Meet the author, read her blog "Faith and Water," sign up for Rachel's weekly prayer emails, and learn about workshops, all at www.rachelhackenberg.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching kids to Give it up to God February 26, 2013

By Lisa H. Jones

Format:Paperback

As a Christian mom I'm always looking for ways to encourage my children and strengthen their relationships with God. In writing this book,Writing to God: Kid's Edition the author, Rachel G. Hackenberg gives a child a realistic approach to connecting with God and seeing both herself and her world the way God sees them.

Often times a child might keep a journal to express herself but Writing to God goes beyond a simple journal. I feel that the author not only wants the child to see life through God's eyes but to use all of her senses to experience God's creations. This out-of-the-box approach opens the child's mind to noticing the world she's in and to really experience all of the wonders God surrounds her with each and everyday.

By encouraging the child to write about "things I am thankful for smelling" (#1) The child takes time to remember the simple pleasure in the smell of warm cookies or mom's perfume. By asking her to write about the feel of a soft blanket or the sound of the rain, Hackengberg shows the child that God can be appreciated in every little thing.

The stories from other children and the prayer examples throughout the book, showed my daughter that others had her same concerns and shared her same worries. These examples also showed her that her prayers don't have to sound rehearsed or perfect, that simply being in His presence and praying in her own words is what matters most.

My daughter age 10, enjoyed the book very much. She felt that writing prayers to God gave her a way to hand her troubles to Him and in doing so took the worry off of her. She felt that her praises to God seemed more meaningful because she was taking the time to sit and write to Him.

In Writing to God, Hackenberg has given children wonderful prayer tools that they can continue to use as they grow both in the world and in His word. Creative and well-written with the loving care of an encouraging mom, this book has something both children and their parents can truly benefit from.
- See more at: http://www.soundmindandspirit.com/2012/08/whats-on-your-bookshelf-writing-to-god.html#sthash.IKTE0FXP.dpuf

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful little book! June 26, 2012

By the mystic gardener

Format:Paperback

What a delightful little book! Writing to God -- Kids' Edition by Rachel G. Hackenberg -- a pastor and Princeton Theological Seminary grad, is just plain fun!

Written specifically for children, this book points kids toward writing their own prayers to God. As an idea book, Writing to God -- Kids' Edition would also be great for adults, both for writing their own prayers and for teaching.

Hackenberg gives lots of explanations and examples and the book is laced with whimsical sketched drawings all of which heighten the invitation for kids to come to God with their thoughts, ideas, and wiritng.

Themes to jump start the prayers include feelings...upset, tired, grumpy, happy; Bible verses; nature...water, trees, animals; colors; ordinary events; word pictures; and "thank You" prayers.

I would have loved having this book as a child and would have been delighted to start my own prayer notebook! Hackenberg says: Grab a pencil. God is there to listen and to love you.

I agree. In fact, you are never too old to start Writing to God!

Paraclete Press, the publisher of this book, provided me with my complimentary copy of Writing to God -- Kids' Edition.

5.0 out of 5 stars precious resource on prayer March 8, 2012

By Nancy I. Sanders

Format:Paperback

What a fresh and precious perspective on prayer! These writing prompts make prayer easily and accessible for kids of all ages...even big ones. A great tool to use for family devotion times as well as any time you're teaching kids how to talk with God up close and personal.